News Singapore Premier League • May 2, 2019

AFC Cup Roundup: Tampines close in on top spot, Home succumb to comeback

Share

Photo courtesy of Tampines Rovers

SINGAPORE, 2 MAY2019 – Singapore’s representatives in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup experienced contrasting fortunes on Match-day 5 as Home United threw away a two-goal lead to fall at PSM Makassar, while Tampines Rovers survived a scare to plant one foot in the next stage. We take a quick look at each game…

Victory against PSM Makassar would have seen Home close the gap on the former at the top to one point and they looked set to do just that after Hafiz Nor struck twice. The first was a neat finish after turning his marker on the edge of the box, while his second was a composed end to Song Uiyoung’s through ball. But the hosts roared back and Marc Klok’s penalty reduced arrears, before he smashed a stunning volley in from 25 yards to equalise. Guy Junior’s fierce effort from the edge of the box completed the turnaround and left Home’s hopes of progress hanging by a thread.

A ding-dong affair ended up with Tampines scraping through as they twice squandered leads against the visitors, who were already eliminated. Khairul Amri’s double gave the Stags a comfortable half-time advantage but they were punished for their profligacy when Yangon improbably drew level after the break. Amri thought he won it when he headed in Ryutaro Megumi’s cross, but Yangon equalised once more with five minutes left to seemingly steal a point. However, there was one final twist as Madhu’s clever header played in Irwan Shah, who stabbed in the winner to leave Tampines needing just a draw in their final game away to Hanoi FC to qualify for the next stage.